Protector for backs of shoes



Nov. 13, 1928.

E. NOWAK PROTECTOR FOR BACKS OF SHOES Filed Nov. 192'? avwamtoz ggwfl abtmmgd 6 by women drivers of automobiles to protect Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

EMMA NOWAK, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

rnorno roa roa BACKS or SHOES.

Application filed November 2, 1927. Serial No. 230,678.

This invention relates to an improved protector adapted to be applied to the back of a shoe.

The protector is peculiarly suited for use the back of the shoe, operating the accelerator from soiling or marring due to scraping against the floor and for preserving the dainty appearance, neatness and cleanliness of the shoe. It may, however, be applied to other purposes and may also be modified to adapt it for use by men. It is intended primarily as a means for keeping the shoe neat and clean and for preventing the same from becoming worn and marred and will prove of general utility to fastidious persons.

Among the principal objects of the invention are: to provide a protector preferably composed of a flexible material such as leather and shaped to conform to the back of the shoe so that it may be disposed and attached smoothly and conveniently thereon; to provide means for firmly and detachably maintaining the protector in service position on the back of the shoe and under tension thereon whereby a smooth and neat appearance is presented thereby; and generally to provide improvements in protectors with a view to simplifying, cheapening, and improving the article.

More specifically, the invention involves a protector having means for engaging with the top edge of the shoe and a stra or the like passing around the heel of the s cc and tightened in place to thereby maintain the protector in taut and stretched disposition on the back of the shoe. Another important feature of the invention resides in the specific character of the body of the protector resulting in an article that may fit snugly on shoes of diiferent sizes and natures and which is durable and lasting in service.

Other objects and desirable features and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figural is a perspective view of a shoe with my novel protector applied thereon.

Figure 2 is an isolated perspective view exemplifying the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fragment of the protector, illustrating details of construction; and

Figure 4 is a sectional View on line 44 of Figure 3.

In detail, the invention is disclosed in a protector which is applied to a. shoe, 10, shown as a ladys shoe, although the rotector may be somewhat modified to a apt it for application with mens shoes. The protector comprises a body portion, 11, preferably composed of a flexible material such as leather or the like and shaped to conform to theback ofthe shoe so as to fit snugly thereon. The protector is held in service on the back of the shoe by catches, 12, or the like which engage the top edge of the shoe and by a shaped strap, 13, or similar device which passes under the shoe and around the heel and is tightened in place so as to maintain the protector taut and stretched against the back-of the shoe whereby a smooth appearance is presented.

In further detail, the protector preferably comprises a plurality of pieces which are suitably attached as by sewing or .in other fashion. One of these pieces, 14, may be shaped substantially in the form of an inverted T or Y and side pieces 15 and 16 are sewed or otherwise secured thereto. The strap 13 is attached to the bottom of the piece 14 as shown in Figure 2.

This specific form of construction, while it may be varied without departingfrom the invention and the other features thereof, has certain advantages arising from its simplicity, ease of construction and assembly and concomitant low cost, as well as by the fact that the resulting article presents a symmetrical and nice appearance and is conveniently shaped so as to fit neatly and snugly on the back ofthe shoe. The protector is further sturdy and rugged in nature and well adapted to withstand the usages to which it is subjected in service.

The top edges of the members 15 and 16 are preferably bent over as at 17 to form pockets for the accommodation and securing of the catches which engage the top edge of the shoe. These catches may be formed of thin spring metal, enameled or otherwise treated, and have relatively wide fiat portions, 18, which fit within the pockets formed by the lapped edges 17 and are slightly curved to corres 0nd with the shoe and narrower portions 1 emitting through openings in the top folded edges and bent over to formv resilient tongues which curve in as shown in Figure 4 whereby the free ends firmly en age the shoe. These catches conveniently sip over the top of the shoe i fact that the top edge of the protector is folded over resides in the increased durability thus afforded such top edge and its greater resisting power to forces arising from usage and tending to fray or otherwise impart imperfections" thereto.

The ends of the strap may be secured around the heel by any desired or suitable means. To this end, I may employ snapv catches of the usual construction, embodying a socket member, '22, associated with one end of the strap and a plug member, 23, with the other. If desired, more than one of such snap catches may be employed, as shown'in Figure 2, to permit the protector to be applied to shoes having heels of different sizes. In this connection, it might be desirable to use an opening,- 24, or openings in lieu of all but the end of either of said plug or socket members, which opening or openings would accommodate the corresponding member or members on the other end of said strap when the ends of the strap are connected to the straps tightest posltion. By such feature, no protuberances in the strap may occur and a nicer appearance thus obtains.

In order to attach the protector to the shoe, it is only necessary to slip the catches 12 over the top edge and to secure and fasten the strap 13 around the heel. The strap exerts a force upon the protector, resisted by the catches f on the top edge of the shoe,

and the protector is' thus put under tension tector may be readily sipped off the s 0c,

the catches, 12, being such as to, permit this convenient slip ing of the protector on and ofi the shoe. a 'ther styles of catchesvmay, of course, be resorted to in the practise of the invention.

As a practical consideration to be borne in mind, the fastening means for the ends of the straps, should be arranged to fasten on the interior side of the shoe or operable therefrom, for a person in asitting or standing position finds this side of the shoe more convenient of accessibility.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A protector for the back of a low shoe comprising a body ortion of flexible material adapted for disposition on the back of the shoe and covering substantially the entire back of the shoe and the upper part of the heel, catches associated with the body portion for engaging the top edge of the shoe, and a strap attached along the bottom edge ofthe body portion and adapted to extend and to be tightened around the heel for drawing thebody portion taut in ser vice on the shoe.

2. A protector for the back of a low shoe comprising a body ortion of flexible material adapted for isposition on the back of the shoe and covering substantially the entire back of the shoe and the upper part of the heel, said body portion being composed of an inverted T-shaped member and side members attached thereto in unitary formation, catches associated with the body portion for engaging the top edge of the shoe, and a stra attached along the bottom edge of the body portion and adapted to extend and to be tightened around the heel for drawing the body portion taut in service on the shoe.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 31st day of October, 1927.

' NOWAK. 

